Vibratory structure



Nov. 15, 1938. G. A. OVERSTROM VIBRATORY STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TOR. 62 374 v5 4. OVE/PSTROM Nov. 15, 1938. G. A. OVERSTROM VIBRATORY STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1956 Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

605mm 4. Orzasmowr BY ATTORNEY separation of various Patented Nov; 15, 1 938 UNITED. STATES vnma'roar s'raoc'ruaa Gustave A. Overstrom, Big Sur, Calif.

Application April 29, 1936, Serial No. 76,923

9 Claims.

This invention relates to vibratory structures,

and, more particularly, to vibratory structures employed for the concentration, screening, or kinds of substances, such as ores, coal, rock, sand, oil well mud, slaughterhouse material, fibrous material, such as asbestos, cotton seeds, straw chaff in wheat, etc. The object of the invention is to so combine and correlate a positive drive mechanism for imparting relatively inclined vibratory movements to an element upon which is received the material to be treated, with means to secure a diflerential action in at leastone of said relative movements, and at the same time imparting a tossing action to the material in the direction of its progression, and elminating all bumping action.

A further object is to provide means, in a combination such as above set forth, to impart a tossing action to the material under treatment.

A further object is to provide means to impart the tossing action referred to in a direction trending away from one of the longitudinal edges of the vibratory element, and tending to separate various portions of the material to be treated.

Still a further object is to provide in the combination referred to, a supporting structure for the vibratory element of such a nature as to impart a curvilinear path of movement to the vibratory element.

A further object is to provide astructure of the nature referred to, which is simple, strong, rugged and durable, economical to manufacture, eflicient in operation, does not require expert supervision, and which is free from destructive and noisy vibration when in use.

In the handling of various materials for the separation or grading of the same by concentration operation, a common practice heretofore has been to reduce the material to a size suitable for separation by floatation. However, where the material, such as ores, for example; is reduced to a very fine mesh, the losses of values, as well as the expense and troubles encountered, in the subsequent smelting operation, have proven to be serious. To avoid these troubles, diificulties and losses, a more satisfactory and desirable practice is to separate out part of the material to be treated in coarser sizes than is required for the floatation treatment. This important and valuable result is attained in the combination of structural elements which constitutes the present invention.

Likewise, in screening and separating various materials, by imparting relatively inclined vibratory movements to the screening element, through positively driven differential action, and imparting a tossing action to the material in thegeneral direction of its progression, with elimination of 5 all bumping action, I am enabled to secure a greater speed of progression of the material, to effect a more satisfactory separation, and to avoid objectionable noises and racking of vibrations imparted to the apparatus, its foundation 10 supports, or the building in which the apparatus is used.

Again, in the case of screening operations with various materials, not only is a separation of the material effected, but, by the combined material tossing action and positive differential drive, and the action of the inclined spring supports for the vibratory element, not only is the material caused to separate in its feeding progression, some portions moving in one line or path in the general direction of feed, and other portions moving in a different line or path in the same general direction, but it separates in general grades along two adjoining boundary edges of the screen element. This is a most valuable resuit in that it enables me to eifectively and satisfactorily screen such materials as asbestos, all well mud, slaughterhouse materials, stem joints in wheat treatment, and various other materials.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a structure of vibratory apparatus embodying the principles of my invention, wherein- Fig. 1 is a view in top plan of a. vibratory structure embodying the principles of my invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical longitudinal sections on the lines 2, 2, and 3, 3, respectively, of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a broken detail view, parts in vertical section, showing one of the inclined spring supporting legs for the vibratory structure.

Fig. 5 is a view in top plan, parts broken off, of a positive drive mechanism adapted for use in a vibratory structure embodying my invention.

Fig. 6 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section on the line 6, 6, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of the left-hand end of the structure as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the right-hand end of the apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a view in vertical transverse section along the line 9, 9, Fig. 1, lookingin the direction of the arrows.

. Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views in top 56 plan illustrating the operation of the vibratory structure embodying the principles of my invention.

The same part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In a vibratory structure embodying my invention a suitable stationary supporting base frame l2, has mounted thereon a series of spring legs or supports, indicated generally at is. In practice these spring legs or supports are employed in pairs, one member of each pair being mounted upon each side bar of the supporting base frame i 2. Any suitable means may be employed for securing the lower end of each spring supporting leg to the base frame side members. Various structures of spring supporting legs may be employed. A structure of spring leg support disclosed in my application Serial No. 44,921, filed October 14, 1935, may well answer thepurposes of my present invention. In Fig. 4, I have shown this structure of spring or flexible leg support, consisting of one or more flat members i4, flanked on opposite sides at the respective ends thereof with a series of flat spring strips II. Preferably the members 4, are of suitable noncrystalline flexible material such as wood, while the members ii, are preferably of spring steel. Each set of flanking members. II is composed of flat elements placed flatwise against each other and of relatively different lengths, the longest member of each set bearing flatwise against a side face of a strip l4. At their lower ends each leg support is rigidly clamped in a bracket it, suitable bolted to a side member of the base frame i2. The upper end of each flexible spring leg supporting structure is similarly rigidly se cured in a bracket l1, bolted to a side member of a supporting frame I4, which is floatingly supported by said spring legs.

The leg supports l3, are mounted in vertically inclined position, the degree of inclination thereof with reference to a vertical line being such that in operation these legs do not reach or pass a vertical position. As indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, and diagrammatically in Fig. 10 the flat sides of the various pairs of leg supports are inclined with respect to each other, and with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the floating frame II, and in increasing degree of inclination from end to end of said floating frame. In practice, and as indicated in Fig. 10, I prefer to so relatively incline the spring leg supports II, and their flat sides or faces, that the planes of said faces, if prolonged as indicated in dotted lines at ll, see Fig. 10, will intersect at a common point in a line 20, at a distance of some fifty feet or more from the apparatus.

Vibratory movements may be imparted to the floating frame ll, by means of any suitable driving mechanism. In practice I prefer to employ for this purpose a positive drive mechanism. A satisfactory apparatus is shown consisting of a shaft 2|, adapted to be driven in any suitable manner, as, for example, through a belt driven pulley 22, from any suitable source of power. The shaft 2|, is journaled in bearings in a stationary casing 23, and carries an eccentric 24. A crank arm 25, actuated by the eccentric 24, is connected at its free end to a link 2|, through a pivot pin connection 21, which, likewise, has pivotal connection with one end of a rod 24. The link 26, is pivotally connected by means of a pin 28, to a block 30, adjustably mounted within a housing 3|, in the casing 22. The opposite end of rod 28, is pivotally onnected by means of a pin 32, to a block 43, adjustably mounted upon an arm 24, which forms a crank-arm upon a shaft 25, which is journaled in the side wallsiof the casing 23. Suitably clamped upon the end of shaft 36, which protrudes through a side wall of the casing 23, is an arm 38, formed with a cup-shaped bearing 31. Seated within this cupshaped bearing is a ball member 38, carried by a stud It, the other end of which carries a ball member 44, adapted to be received in a cupshaped bearing 4|, formed in a cross piece 42, which is connected to a convenient part of floating frame ll.

Mounted and held upon, to move with, the floating frame II, is an element 43, which, for convenience, I shall call a deck. Where the apparatus is to be used as a concentrator, the deck is ordinarily covered with linoleum, and, usually, with riiiles, as indicated at H, extending in the general direction of the length of the deck. Where the apparatus is to be used as a screen the deck is covered over with a suitable screen cloth or a perforated plate. Also, if desired, and as shown, the deck 43 has hinged connections adjacent one of the longitudinal sides thereof with the floating frame II, as indicated at 44, see particularly Figs. 2, 7, and 8. Adjacent the opposite side member of the floating frame II, is mounted a member 45, having a series of inclined sections constituting adjusting wedge blocks upon which bear suitable cross members 45, forming parts of the deck frame. By suitably adjusting endwise the connected series of wedge members 45, the angle of inclination of the deck may be adjustably varied as desired and according to the character of material to be operated upon. An adjusting screw 41 serves to effect the desired tilting adjustment of the wedge members 4!.

Where the apparatus is employed for use as a concentrator a combined material feed and wash water trough 48, is ordinarily mounted along the upper side edge of the deck frame.

The operation of the apparatus is very simple. When the power driven shaft 2|, is driven, the rod 24, by reason of. its pivotal connection with link 26 and crank arm 25, is given a longitudinal reciprocation, as the angle which the members 20, 24 make with each other is varied through the action of crank arm or pitman 25. This longitudinal reciprocation of rod 2|, rocks the arm 34, thereby axially rocking shaft 35, and with it the crank arm 38. By the engagement of the cup-shaped seat 31, at the free end of arm 20, with the ball member 32, a pull towards the left (see Fig. 6), is exerted upon the floating frame ll, through the stud 3!, bearing member 44, and the bearing 4|. This is the action which takes place when rod 28, is projected endwise towards the right. This movement of floating frame it, is opposed by the spring supporting legs II, the tension of which is exerted tending to move the floating frame It, towards the right. When rod 28, is moved towards the left an opposite action takes place. The floating frame in that case is moved towards the right by the tension exerted thereon by the spring legs. The deck is not, nor is the floating frame, subjected to any bumping action tending to cause noise, or to rack the frame structure of. the apparatus or its foundation supports.

It will also be seen that the apparatus which imparts vibratory movements to the deck member is positive in its difl'erential motion movements in both directions, the movement in one tively acting I rangement of .the spring leg supports, in the tion being accomplished by the ment in bothdirections, as modified by the differential action. In that case the movement imparted to the material would'x be along a straight line of progression parallel with the deck surface, and in line with the movements imparted to the dec This would result in a .failure to attainsatisfactory results, whether for concentrating or screening operations, as I have hereinbefore pointed out, and a failure to properly separate the various elements of the material. However, by combining with the posidifferen'tial' drive the relative a1.-

manner as hereinbefore described, and the rela tively displaced angular relation of the faces or flat side surfaces thereof. from end to end of the deck, an entirely new and exceedingly important and valuable result is accomplished, namely, the material is'subjected to a vertical tossing movement delivered in-the general direction of feed progression, while at the same time an arcuate line of travel is imposed upon the vertically tossed material. It is to be understood that this result is contributed to by the mounting of the spring leg supports in vertical inclined positions. the spring leg supports must be such that in the operation of. the apparatus, said leg supports should never a vertical position.

The action of the apparatus when in opera- 7 tion under the condition of inclination of the line of progression ration this action leaves a zone or spring leg supports, and of the relatively displaced angular disposition of the flat sides or faces of said leg supports, is indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 10 and 11. Instead of the line of feed progression of the material along the surface of the deck member of the apparatus being a straight line in parallel relation to the line of application of. the power for, and parallel with, the lower edge of; the deck, said will be along a curved line, as indicated at 50, Fig. 10, which carries the material progressively away from the lower edge of the deck element, as well as'towards the far end of the deck. In the case of water sepaareaof deck surface indicated roughly at ACF, for the separation of slime portions, of the material and their discharge along the portion FC of. the deck edge, while the zone'or area ACDB for the separation of the lighter and larger solid portions of the material and'their discharge along the, portion CD of the lower edge of the deck. I'he area or zone ADEB is utilized for separating out the medium heavy portions of theme.- terial and their. discharge along the end portion DE of the deck. The area or. zone AEG is utilized for separating the portions of material of the heaviest specific gravity, and their discharge along the portion EG of the end of the deck.

In Fig. 10 I have diagrammatically indicated the action. and results attained when the spring leg supports are inclined both vertically and in angular relation with respect to each other, whereas in Fig. 11 I have indicated the action and results attained when the material is not subjected to either a tossing motion nor to a feed progression away from the lower side or useful, and of my own invention.

But the inclination ofbe permitted .to pass beyond,

spring of Figs. 10 and 11, it will be seen that the discharge length CD, Fig. 10, is substantially double Fig. 11. This means that with the arrangement and operathat of the discharge length CD',

tion indicated in Fig. 10, that is, as embodied in my present invention, I am enabled to secure edge of. the deck. By comparing the illustrations a'much greatercapacity and a more perfect separation. In this connection it is to be noted that with a straight motion action, as indicated tions and changes in the details of. structure of' the apparatus may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention.

' But, having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention, and a. structure embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the nature described, a deck to receive the material to be treated, a frame carrying said deck, a positive differential drive mechanism connected to said frame to impart vibratory movements thereto, in combination with spring legs for floatingly supporting said frame, said legs being constructed to yieldingly resist the action of the positive drive mechanism and so disposed angularly relatively to each other as to cause a tossing action to be imparted to the material carried by the deck, and in a direction inclined to the line of reciprocatory movements imparted to the deck.

2. In an apparatus of the nature described,- a deck to receive the material to be treated, positively acting differential drive mechanism to'impart vibratory movements to said desk, flat supporting legs for said deck, said supporting legs being disposed with their flat faces in different angular relations with respectto each other.

3. In an apparatus of the class described a frame, a deck carried by said frame, resilient flattened supporting legs for said frame, said. supporting legs being arranged in increasingly angular relation to each other from end to end mechanism connected to said, frame.

4. In an apparatus of the nature described, a frame, spring leg supports for said frame arranged in successive pairs and having flat sides or surfaces, a positive differential drive mechanism connected to said frame, said spring supporting legs operating to resist the action of said drive mechanism and having their flat surfaces of said frame and a positive differential drive inclined to the line of movement imparted by' the drive mechanism and a deck carried by said frame.

5. In an apparatus of the nature described, a frame. a deck carried thereby to move therewith a positive differential drive. mechanismconnected to said frame for imparting vibratory movements thereto and vertically inclined spring leg supports for said frame, arranged in different angular relations to the line of reciprocatory movement of the drive mechanism to impart a tossing action transverse to the line of reciprocatory movement to material carried by the deck.

6. In an apparatus of the class described a positive differential drive mechanism for imparting vibratory movements thereto, including freely engaging ball and socket members, and spring supports for said deck, said spring supports having flat faces or sides disposed in angular relation with respect to the line of reciprocatory movements imparted to the deck.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a positive differential drive mechanism for imparting vibratory movements thereto, including a universal joint connection to said deck, and spring supports for said deck, said supports having flat facesor sides disposed in angular relation to the line of reciprocatory movements imparted to the deck.

8. In a separating apparatus a deck, a floating frame carrying said deck, said floating frame being yieldingly supported by continuously tensioned spring legs, and a positive diiferential drive mechanism flexibly connected to said floating frame to impart differential said drive mechanism being floating frame so as to'place said spring legs under tension, and said spring legs being arranged to impart tossing movements to the material carried by said deck in. lines of movement relatively inclined to the line of movement of the drive mechanism.

9. In a separating apparatus a deck, a floating frame carrying said deck, said floating frame being yieldingly supported by continuously tensioned spring legs, and a positive diflerential drive mechanism connected to said floating frame to one side of the transverse center thereof, and said spring legs being arranged to impart tossing movements to the material carried by said deck in lmes of movement relatively inclined to the line of movement of the drive mechanism.

movement thereto,

connected to the I GUSTAVE A. OVERS'I'ROM. 20 

